Xbox One without Kinect for $399 in June, Netflix and HBO Go to be decoupled from Gold accounts

Microsoft has just announced that a Kinect-less version of the Xbox One will go on sale for $399 starting in June. What's more, Microsoft has confirmed that Xbox Live Gold will no longer be required for any entertainment apps, including Twitch, YouTube, Netflix, or Hulu. Users will still also be able to watch live TV and use OneGuide as well as Skype and OneDrive.

To offset the loss of value for Xbox Live Gold, Microsoft is expanding the offerings, including bringing the following new features to the service:

Free Games with Gold for the One console coming in June

Xbox 360 users will get a bonus game in June, including "Dark Souls," "Charlie Murder" and the bonus game of "Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition."

Deals with Gold will also launch for Xbox One in June; "Forza Motorsport 5" and "Ryse: Son of Rome" will be the first discounted games, with some more surprises coming

If you buy an Xbox One sans Kinect, Microsoft will also be selling the unit later in the fall as a separate purchase, should users want to upgrade their consoles at a later time.

Clearly Microsoft is taking an aggressive move against Sony with these actions, allowing them to lower the price of the Xbox One while still delivering enhanced services like Skype, OneDrive and those entertainment apps. What's more, Gold members will still get free games and exclusive content, making their subscriptions worth the cost.